God of mystery and wonder,because we know the ending of the story,it’s tempting for usto ignore the darkness of this day.It’s tempting for usto go about our business as usual.It’s tempting for usto move too quicklyto the dawn of light on Easter morning.

But give us courage and strength on this dayto live for a while in the darkness,to set aside comfort and pleasure,to feel the darknessin which so many of your children dwell,the darkness into which your son Jesus entered.

As we reflect on the frailty of Christ,remind us of the frailty of all life.As we cringe at the suffering of Christ,make us mindful of suffering throughout the world.As we witness the death of Christ,bring us back full circle to the beginning of Lent,to the wisdom of Ash Wednesday:the awareness of our mortalityand the mortality of those we love.

Gracious God,deep in the human heartis an unquenchable trustthat life does not end with death.Like a seed which is buriedin order to bring forth life,Christ goes to the tombto usher in new life.We trust that we too will be raised to new life,in this world, here and now,and in the mystery of what lies beyond physical death.We trust that the whole world will be born anew,that your kingdom is comingas a new heavenand a new earth.

On this day of darkness,it is for this kingdom that we boldly pray.

I wish for each of you the courage and strength you need to wait in the darkness today.

Central Christian Church is a member of the Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.